How Much Do I Need to Plant Per Person (Printable)

In general, to decide how much to plant per person, determine how much is consumed on a weekly, or yearly basis, and then use the following equation. 

Pounds Consumed Weekly X Number of Weeks = Total Pounds Needed

Pounds Needed / Pounds Per Plant = Number of Plants Needed

Example of Plant Per Person Equation

For example, hot peppers. Our family consumes about ½ lb of peppers a week. To grow peppers for a year, I will multiple the number of weeks by 52. 

½ lb a week X 52 weeks = 26lbs of hot peppers needed for a year

26lbs of hot peppers / 2lbs per plant (reference from printable) = 13 plants needed. 

Plant Table and Printable

Crop	Average Plants Per Person	Average Pounds Per Plant	Average Cups Per Plant
Artichokes	1 to 2	6 to 8 pounds per plant	3 to 4 cups
Asparagus	5 to 10	2 to 3 pounds per plant	4 to 6 cups
Beans (Dry)	10 to 15	1/4 to 1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Beans (Snap)	5 to 10	1/2 pound per plant	2 to 4 cups
Beets	5 to 10	1/4 pound per beet	1/2 to 1 cup
Bok Choy	1 to 3	1 to 2 pounds per plant	4 to 5 cups
Broccoli	2 to 4	1 pound per plant	5 to 6 cups
Brussel Sprouts	1 to 2	1/2 to 1 pound per plant	4 cups
Cabbage	2 to 4	2 to 4 pounds per plant	8 to 16 cups shredded
Carrots	10 to 20	1/4 pound per 2 plants	2 cups
Cauliflower	2 to 4	2 pounds per plant	3 to 4 cups
Celery	2 to 6	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Chard	2 to 3	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Chickpeas	4 to 8	1/4 to 1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Chinese Cabbage	2 to 4	2 to 4 pounds per plant	8 to 16 cups shredded
Collards	2 to 3	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Corn (Sweet)	6 to 12	2 ears per plant	1 1/2 cups
Corn (Dent)	12 to 18	1/8 pound of ground flour per plant	1 cup
Cucumbers	2 to 4	3 to 5 pounds per plant	8 to 15 cups
Daikon Radish	3 to 6	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Edamame	2 to 4	2 pounds per plant	4 cups
Eggplant	1 to 2	8 to 10 pounds per plant	32 to 40 cups
Endive	2 to 3	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Fava Beans	4 to 8	1/4 to 1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Garlic	10 to 15	3 oz per plant	1/8 cup per plant
Jicama	1 to 2	1 to 6 pounds per plant	4 to 32 cups
Kale	3 to 5	1 pound per plant	3 to 6 cups
Kohlrabi	4 to 8	1/3 pound per plant	3 cups
Leeks	10 to 15	1/4 pound per plant	1/2 cup
Lettuce	5 to 10	1/4 to 1 pound per plant	4 to 6 cups
Okra	2 to 3	1 pound per plant	1 1/2 cups
Onions	10 to 20	1/2 pound per plant	1 cup
Parsnips	5 to 10	1/2 pound per plant	1/2 cup
Peanuts	10 to 12	1/16 pound per plant	1/4 cup per plant
Peas (Dry)	15 to 20	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups
Peas (Sweet)	10 to 15	1/4 pound per plant	1/4 cup per plant
Peppers (Hot)	1 to 2	2 to 4 pounds per plant	8 to 10 cups
Peppers (Sweet)	3 to 5	1 to 2 pounds per plant	3 to 6 cups
Potatoes	5 to 10	2 pounds per plant	4 cups
Pumpkins	1 to 2	4 to 10 pounds per plant	16 to 40 cups cubed
Radicchio	4 to 6	1 to 2 pounds per plant	8 to 16 cups shredded
Radish	15 to 25	1 pound per 10 plants	1 cup per 5 plants
Rhubarb	1 to 2	2 to 6 pounds per plant	4 to 10 cups
Rutabaga	5 to 10	1 to 3 pounds per plant	2 to 5 cups
Shallots	10 to 20	1/4 pound per plant	1/2 cup
Spinach	5 to 10	1/4 pound per plant	1 1/2 cups
Squash (Summer)	1 to 2	5 to 20 pounds per plant	12 to 50 cups
Squash (Winter)	1 to 2	10 to 15 pounds per plant	10 to 15 cups
Sweet Potatoes	3 to 5	2 pounds per plant	5 cups
Tomatillos	1 to 2	2 to 10 pounds per plant	4 to 18 cups
Tomatoes	2 to 4	5 to 15 pounds per plant	7 to 22 cups
Turnips	5 to 10	1/2 pound per plant	2 cups

You can also watch this video about How Much to Plant Per Person for a Year’s Worth of Food on YouTube.

What Should I Plant In My Garden?

In general, plant vegetables, flowers, or other landscapaing plants that are liked by your family and fit in your garden space. In addition, plant what works bes tin your climate and environment.

Before deciding what to plant ask these three questions.

1. What does your family like to eat?
2. How much space do you have?
3. What plants are best for my environment?

Research the plants you wish to grow to make sure they work best in your space and environment. Planting from seed is often the cheapest way to grow a garden, but transplants perform better in some environments.

Other Articles on Gardening 

How to Start a Garden for Beginners

https://boonstead.com/how-to-start-a-garden-for-beginners-a-novice-view/

How to Weed Your Garden (A Full Step List)

https://boonstead.com/how-to-weed-your-garden-a-full-step-list/

What to Consider When Planning Your Garden

https://boonstead.com/what-to-consider-when-planning-your-garden/

Do I Buy or Harvest Seeds for my Garden?

https://boonstead.com/do-i-buy-or-harvest-seeds-for-my-garden/

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